Posts split from this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=88724

I'm working on a DVD now that will cover the whole ProHD line, including the DR-HD100 & the HZ-CA13U. I was working on an in-depth tutorial style book, but I've realized through my participation on the forums that many people simply can't learn quickly or effectively from the written word. The DVD format allows you watch the whole program in a couple of hours, or jump straight to an area of interest for your specific model. I will also likely add either subtitles or overdubbing for French & Spanish and possibly Portuguese, Cantonese, Japanese & German. It all depends on how much time & money I can afford to invest in translations.

This DVD will be a supplemental 'module' to to a larger educational DVD of Digital Cinematography techniques, tips & tricks. I plan to produce more modules in the future, covering other cameras, NLEs, and possibly even 3D Stereoscopy (a hobby of mine.)

Look for the official announcement at NAB.

Tim, is there any current news about this DVD (or the series of modules)?

We've mentioned and requested a scene file editor before. I doubt JVC will develop it on their own. It will take a third party (like Blue Barn (http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article15.php)'s work on the XL2) to program one for Mac or PC.
I have some great ideas for the design, but I don't have the programming skills (or time) to create it.



I'm working on a DVD now that will cover the whole ProHD line, including the DR-HD100 & the HZ-CA13U. I was working on an in-depth tutorial style book, but I've realized through my participation on the forums that many people simply can't learn quickly or effectively from the written word. The DVD format allows you watch the whole program in a couple of hours, or jump straight to an area of interest for your specific model. I will also likely add either subtitles or overdubbing for French & Spanish and possibly Portuguese, Cantonese, Japanese & German. It all depends on how much time & money I can afford to invest in translations.

This DVD will be a supplemental 'module' to to a larger educational DVD of Digital Cinematography techniques, tips & tricks. I plan to produce more modules in the future, covering other cameras, NLEs, and possibly even 3D Stereoscopy (a hobby of mine.)

Look for the official announcement at NAB.


Hi Tim, I'm a part time narrator for dutch programs, if you'd like, I can dub it in Dutch for you. All it would cost is a copy of the DVD for me. Let me know ?

The content is already shot, edited and authored into a DVD. The packaging artwork is completed in English, French and Spanish. I've just finished most of the legal mumbo jumbo and will be proceeding with subtitling in French and Spanish for the NTSC Region 1&4 version.
I need to add a few up-to-date pieces of information that have come to light this week (Lo-Lux for example.)
I hope to have the replication order filled within the month. A PAL (region 2-6) version will follow shortly after the NTSC version and I'm still determining what additional languages to concentrate on for subtitling.

The DVD menu system is very in-depth with built-in redundancy. The idea being that we don't all take the same logical path to find the information we're looking for. For example, if you are looking for an explanation of the switch positions of the audio channels, you can find it in "audio" or "external controls." The external controls menus are my favorites because they literally have photos of all sides of the camera and you can simply highlight and select the specific item you are interested in.
We of course are going to great lengths to provide "play all" buttons on the main menu (to play EVERYTHING is one sitting) as well as each individual section (to play everything in that section in one sitting.) This is actually the most difficult aspect of authoring the DVD because of all of the scripting going on "under the hood."
We've also kept the design of the menu system artwork very simple and easy to navigate, much like DV Info Net. You won't find any time-wasting animated menus. The menu system is logical and responsive, and each page always includes a DVD@ccess quick link that will take you directly to the ProHD section of dvinfo.net. (This feature requires a computer with internet access.)

The DVD covers the HD100 series, HD200 series, BR-HD50U, DR-HD100, HZ-CA13U COPLA, accessories, first-time setup & precautions, every single menu item in every camcorder, a primer on depth of field & cine lens adapters, an overview of the KY-HD250U studio adapter, backfocusing, battery systems, advanced image controls, some time-saving shortcut key combos, tips and tricks, tutorials and lots more.
I've been working on this for a long time to try to make it as "complete" as possible. Of course at some point I have to let the product live as it is and all new information will be provided here at DV Info Net.

Tim, is there any current news about this DVD (or the series of modules)?
"Best laid plans." I'm tackling this series one DVD at a time. Keep in mind that the other wranglers and I are all working professionals who volunteer in our spare time at DV Info Net. Therefore, everything we do or produce takes more time than it should. I hope to start working on the next module (Digital Cinematography) when this one is completed, but I have to do it in the midst of my day-job. Unfortunately, the ProHD DVD has taken much longer than I originally anticipated to author. The end result is well worth it, but at this rate I can probably only produce one or two per year!

Hi Tim, I'm a part time narrator for dutch programs, if you'd like, I can dub it in Dutch for you. All it would cost is a copy of the DVD for me. Let me know ?
Thank you for the offer Jan, but I don't think I'll have enough bandwidth on the DVD for dubbed languages.

However, I would welcome your input on the Dutch translation for the subtitles.

In fact, if any ProHD users on this board consider English their 2nd language and would like to edit a translation in your first language in exchange for a free copy of the DVD, please let me know. There are many nuances that only a ProHD user will 'get' and I think this is the best approach, considering the menu system in the cameras is English. The translations are all being completed by an automatic translator, so I'm sure there will be some editing required.

Thanks, Tim. This product sounds absolutely brilliant! I can't wait. And don't worry, I'm fully aware that you do these things in your "spare time". Another thing I'm happy about with this product is that it gives myself and other members a chance to contribute something back to you (by purchasing the DVD) in return for the constant stream of helpful and technically accurate advice which you have provided this forum over the last 2 years.

^^ Definitely. I'd be interested - let us know when they hit the UK shores!

I'll buy one for sure.

I've learned a ton from Tim about the HD 100 just from this forum.

Thanks Tim, Look forward to seeing it.

Peace.

dvd learnings for the HD100 im all for it
please put my name down when its available
MEKHAEL

Definitely interested. Tim has been a wealth of information!

Hi Tim,
Please put me on the waiting list too.
I want to buy a HZ CA13 adapter and I hope that your training DVD will help me to decide. Unfortunately there are very few information on this matter.
Good luck,
Eugen

Thank you everyone who has sent me an email to offer their services as a translation editor. I apologize if I haven't emailed each of you individually yet.
I will get to them all eventually.

I have received offers for many different languages, and some I hadn't even originally considered.

I'm still looking for someone to take a peek at the French translation. I'd actually love to get two opinions on this one: someone from France, and a Québécois. I have a couple friends who speak Français, but they know nothing about the ProHD system.

The translations should be ready by the end of next week, or shortly thereafter.

Hi Tim.

I fully appreciate that you are probably flat out on other projects right now, but is there any update as to when you reckon the ProHD tutorial DVD might be ready? Even a rough idea?

Tim,

I think you left your money on the table......

S.

Will have an update for you after IBC. The NTSC version is in 'beta testing' right now.

Thanks, Tim!

Thanks, Tim!
hi Tim
My english is good, but my spanish is MUY BUENO!!
It tell me as I can help
greetings for all the users in English, Spanish

Hi Tim

I one of the Tree People of Irian Jiya on the western end of the island of New Guinea. I'm president of the Tree People HD200 Club. Let me know if you want you video translated into Bauzi. I'm also fluent in Yali.

Will have an update for you after IBC. The NTSC version is in 'beta testing' right now.

Are you going to the IBC?

put me on the list when it's ready to ship. If I learn one thing and saves me 2 hours of experimenting, then it's more than worth the price.

put me on the list when it's ready to ship. If I learn one thing and saves me 2 hours of experimenting, then it's more than worth the price.

At last count there are 3 hours and 40 minutes of material on the DVD. Maybe 2 hours of experimentation would save you more time!

Are you going to the IBC?

Nope...didn't go to IBC. I wish I could have though.

I was holding off because I was hoping that there would be an announcement regarding 720p50 (and 720p60) and FCP, but no such luck.
Oh well, I've decided to not include NLE specific information on this volume of the DVD. I'm already squeezing everything I can out of a DVD-9 and I'd like the DVD to have a longer shelf life. We'll just have to continue to discuss NLE issues and solutions on the board for now.

The vetting process is almost complete and the transcriptions and subtitle translations will finally be finished soon, at which time I will email them to the respective volunteers (thank you all) who will check the translation accuracy.
In the meantime I'm considering replicating a small run of NTSC English versions immediately just to satisfy the current demand.
Any thoughts on this idea?

Makes sense to me to get some English only copies out there ASAP. It will be a big part of your market, and I'm sure you know all too well that time is of the essence for technical material like this! Even weeks count.

Can you get some ready for HD World on Oct. 10/11th in NYC? Hehe!

Seriously though,
How about for the JVC Seminar in NYC on the 18th (Maybe I can hawk some for you there!)

I'm looking forward to it Tim!

How about for the JVC Seminar in NYC on the 18th (Maybe I can hawk some for you there!)

Quick turnarounds on replication are possible (a few days) assuming the queue is not too long. The NTSC DVD (English) and artwork, & UPC symbols are completed, so this wouldn't be out of the question.

Is this event on the 18th a big one? My wife and I have been looking for a good excuse to come to NY for a couple days!

My DVD player and TV set play back NTSC DVDs without any problems. I don't require translations. I'm fine on paying extra for freight (most of my training DVDs are shipped from the US anyway). So put me down for one!

Tim -- please put me down for an English copy as well. Thanks!

I would like a copy too.
Thanks,
Jon

Tim,

Please put me down for an English copy too.

-Geoff Murillo

I would also like an English version.

A Northern English one for me please Tim :)

I'd like one in English, but the English from Belgium then ;)
just kidding, please let me know how to get one.

One english version, please!

hehe! the response is proof! Hope JVC doesn't have any major announcements for ProHD on the 18th!
Actually, I think it will be one of their standard promotional events, one of which I saw before my purchase, when the 200/250 were announced but not released. Some high quality projected images, hands-on with product and direct Q & A with informed techs is always useful.
I know you;ve got a good relationship with JVC, Tim, and I know your expertise would add a lot to the setting, so it might be worth talking to them. I got the date from Diane's at JVC's post her on the forum.
The HDworld expo next is less clear, and it appears JVC isn't on the exhibit floor. I'm here anyway so going to check it out, but I suspect it's more oriented towards the paid seminars.

Well it seems there is an immediate demand for English NTSC versions so I will take that into consideration. Most of the DVD is actually 24P anyway, so I think a universal DVD player connected to a PAL tv will handle it properly.
I'll just have to go region free I guess.

and I know your expertise would add a lot to the setting
I provided JVC with a 15 minute piece from the DVD in the summer that I think they have been showing at events like this. It is a "Depth of Field" primer and a description of how SLR/Cine lens adapters work, as well as HZ-CA13U test footage.

You mean it's not Bluray!? That changes everything ;^)
Seriously, region-free almost always makes sense - certainly for independant releases. I think the region encoding is an abdomination, and the only purpose I see for it is for the the large commercial distributors to squeeze more money out of specific markets.

You mean it's not Bluray!? That changes everything ;^)
Seriously, region-free almost always makes sense - certainly for independant releases. I think the region encoding is an abdomination, and the only purpose I see for it is for the the large commercial distributors to squeeze more money out of specific markets.

I would love to do it Blu-Ray or HD-DVD but the mastering cost is prohibitive. Maybe when burners come down in price I'll think about authoring in a hi-def format and burning one-offs by request.
All of the elements were mastered in 720p sequences to make the downconversion to either NTSC or PAL easy. This will also 'future-proof' it and allow for native output back to mpeg2.

Hi Tim, I am from Guatemala, and I am an Spanish native speaker and my second lenguage is Englsh, I could supervise the Spanish version of the subtitles of your ProHD DVD. Count with me.
Saul Martinez

I could be the Québécois on your translation tean if you are still looking!

Where can I get this DVD? Is it finished yet?

Tim, is the dvd going to cover the soon to be released JVC GY-HD350?
OK - just kiddin'!
I HAVE heard from a reliable source, that Apple's 720p 60 codec is IMMINENT for release in a FCP 6 (studio 2) update - like any day now! I haven't updated to 6, so it may have even trickled through. This was demonstrated at NAB, but Apple is very fussy to get these software codecs the best they can be.
The DR-HD100 will supposedly be updated "within 2 weeks" of that time so 60fps footage can also be captured straight to QT.
This *may* be the reason for Tim holding out a bit longer.

Tim hi,

put me down for one...

Sam

... even a beta version of this DVD!

What are the chances of a pre-Christmas release, Tim?

... even a beta version of this DVD!

What are the chances of a pre-Christmas release, Tim?

Are we talking betamax or betacam sp here?

bump, bump!

Hi Tim.

I noticed in another thread that Chris Hurd mentioned your ProHD tutorial DVD is due out very soon. This is great news! I've got to make a few purchases for the camera this week, but if your DVD (which is at the top of my "camera accessory purchases" list) is due out later this week, I'll put some of the others on hold. But if the DVD isn't due for 2-3 weeks, then no problem.

I won't "hold you" to any approximate dates you may care to give (and I doubt anyone else would either), but it really would be most helpful if you could quickly give a rough timeframe of how things are currently looking.

Thanks.

I want one too, definatly keep us posted.

Hi Tim.

Is it being released during your appearance tonight at the NAB FCPUG SuperMeet?

And when can orders be placed (for those of us who are not at NAB)?

Thanks.

Funny you mention that. I'm sitting at the Supermeet right now and anyone here tonight will be able to purchase the DVD directly from me for $49.99.
We'll accept cold hard cash but we are also setup with a laptop to take Paypal or Credit Cards via Paypal.

We only have about 20 shrink wrapped DVDs with us so first come first serve.
I will only be here until the end of intermission and then I have to fly out.

My presentation is around 7:30 I think.

http://www.dvinfo.net/prohd/press.html

Brilliant news, Tim!

I've just placed my order. (Hurry up, Canada Post!)

Great DVD Tim (watching it on my hotel room just after the meeting).
Very clear and well done.
I would recommend everyone this tutorial DVD.
It covers the whole camera GY-HD range.